This　paper　introduces　a　design　methodology　to　enhance　the　seismic　response　of　gridshells　by　simultaneously　optimizing　their　shapes　and　the　configuration　of　viscoelastic　dampers.　While　viscoelastic　dampers　effectively　reduce　seismic　responses,　their　impact　on　gridshell　geometry　has　received　limited　attention.　The　proposed　framework　integrates　damper　placement　into　the　initial　design　stage　to　address　this　gap,　unlike　conventional　approaches　that　treat　geometry　and　damper　design　separately.　Leveraging　parametric　geometric　and　structural　modeling,　combined　with　a　genetic　algorithm,　the　framework　utilizes　a　multi-phase　fitness　function　derived　from　static　and　dynamic　analyses,　accounting　for　damping　effects　and　material　and　geometric　nonlinearities.　The　findings　reveal　that,　as　the　number　of　dampers　increases,　optimized　gridshells　tend　to　adopt　more　elliptical　shapes　while　achieving　substantial　reductions　in　both　maximum　displacement　(exceeding　50　%　in　some　cases)　and　thrust　forces　(up　to　40　%),　with　the　effect　being　more　pronounced　in　mid-rise　domes.　Notably,　even　configurations　with　as　few　as　32　dampers　can　yield　satisfactory　seismic　performance.　Overall,　locally　symmetric　damper　layouts　are　recommended.　The　proposed　methodology　underscores　the　benefit　of　integrating　damper　placement　with　shape　optimization　during　the　early　design　phase,　enabling　adaptable　applications　to　other　structural　systems　and　supporting　more　informed　performance-based　design　decisions.　©　2025　The　Authors